Child Safety Seats

Keeping Kids Safe in Vehicles: Top 10 Tips

1. Infants must always be placed in rear-facing seats until they are at least one year old and 20-22 lbs.

2. If less than a year old and more than 20-22 lbs., be sure they ride in a seat approved for heavier babies and continue to ride rear-facing until at least one year old. Children may ride rear-facing in many seats up to 35 lbs.

3. Remember: Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of a passenger air bag.

4. Once children are forward-facing, they should ride in a forward-facing seat (toddler seat) until they reach approximately 40 lbs.

5. All children who have outgrown child safety seats should be properly restrained in booster seats until at least 8 years old, unless they are 4'9" tall.

6. Old/used child safety seats should not be used unless you are certain they have never been in a crash and you have all the parts (including instructions). Seats six years or older should be discarded and never used. To check if your safety seat has been recalled, log on to www.seatcheck.org

7. Always read both the vehicle owner's manual and the instructions that come with the child safety seat.

8. Kids of all ages are safest when properly restrained in the back seat.

9. It's important to remember that the "best" child safety seat is the one that correctly fits the child, the vehicle, and is used correctly every time.